Counselling & Psychology Course

Are you good at listening to people and do you want to make a positive impact on their lives? Take the next step in your professional development and become a qualified counsellor with our online counselling and psychology courses.

You can study for a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. Both options give you the chance to interact with and learn from highly successful and extensively qualified professionals. And when you graduate, you’ll have the opportunity to enter a fast-growing, rewarding profession.

Explore our course breakdown below or enrol now to get started.

• Course Outline

  When you enrol on our online counselling and psychology courses, you will complete the following units of study:

  1	COUNSELLING SKILLS I

  Learning Specific Skills Listening & Bonding Reflection Questioning

  Interview Techniques Changing Beliefs and Normalising Finding Solutions Ending the Counselling

  2	COUNSELLING SKILLS II

  The counselling session Focus on the present Telephone counselling Dealing with crises

  Problem-solving techniques I: Aggression Problem-solving techniques II: Depression Problem-solving techniques III: Grief and loss Problem-solving techniques IV: Suicide

  3	COUNSELLING TECHNIQUES

  Psychoanalytic psychotherapy l – Freud, Erikson, Jung Psychoanalytical psychotherapy ll – Adler Humanistic/Existential approaches I – Gestalt Therapy; Fritz Perls Humanistic/Existential approaches II – Person-Centred Counselling; Carl Rogers

  Rational behavioural therapy – Albert Ellis Cognitive behavioural therapy – Aaron Beck Behavioural therapy Solution-focused counselling

  4	INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

  The Nature and Scope of Psychology Neurological basis of behaviour Environmental effects on behaviour Consciousness and perception

  Personality Psychological development Needs, drives and motivation

  5	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN COUNSELLING

  Understanding counselling Ethics and Confidentiality Understanding the self Personality

  Emotions and Behaviour Supervision Referral practice

  Note that because counselling and psychology is directed at serving the needs of individuals in one’s community, our programmes require a minimal amount of social engagement (surveys, questionnaires, role play, etc) in aid of learning.

• How Will You Benefit?

  
  There are many benefits associated with studying our counselling and psychology courses online. For example, you will:

  • Fast track your career as a counsellor
  • Access learning materials and assessments developed in consultation with senior members of the counselling and psychology profession
  • Study at your own pace, meaning you can fit our online counselling courses around work, family and other commitments
  • Access expert advice and guidance from a qualified personal tutor
  • Save time and money thanks to the remote learning format of the courses
  • Have the option of paying upfront for a 10% reduction in fee, or choosing our interest-free weekly payment plan

  Discover the benefits for yourself by enrolling on our counselling courses online today!

• Watch Our Course Video

• Career Prospects

  
  Counselling is a fast-growing industry. Figures from the Central Statistics Office suggest that employment of specialists including relationship therapists and mental health counsellors will be 23% higher in 2030 than it was in 2020. This means you can expect your skills to be in considerable demand.

  You may decide to seek employment within an existing organisation or practice, or go it alone and set up your own practice. The choice is yours.

  What is a counsellor?

  Counsellors work with clients who are experiencing a variety of psychological and emotional difficulties, helping them to improve their wellbeing and bring about positive change. As a counsellor, you may work with clients affected by issues ranging from anxiety and depression to stress, bereavement, substance abuse and relationship problems. You may hold sessions with individuals or groups, depending on the type of counselling you decide to specialise in.

  Other career options

  As well as counselling, the skill set you acquire through this Diploma or Advanced Diploma will make you suitable for positions in a range of areas, including welfare and social work, sports coaching, education, life coaching, rehabilitation, personal training, marketing, management and industrial relations.

  Regulation of Counselling within Ireland

  Counselling is not a regulated profession in Ireland, despite years of discussion about the potential for regulation. To date, no such regulation has been implemented. Similarly, in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and many states within the United States, counselling remains unregulated. Should the profession become regulated in the future, please be aware that the course has not been designed to meet the requirements of any regulation that has yet to be formulated or legislated.

• Course Levels Explained

  Our counselling and psychology courses lead to the awarding of either a Diploma or Advanced Diploma, depending on which level you enrol at. The different levels are determined by the amount of course content and assessments involved within each module at the intermediate (Diploma) and advanced (Advanced Diploma) levels. Learn more about the differences between the two levels below:

  Diploma

  Qualifications recognise the graduates capacity for initiative and judgment across a broad range of technical and management functions. Diploma holders typically have personal responsibility and autonomy (semi-independence) in performing technical operations or organizing others in the workplace.

  Advanced Diploma

  The graduate is able to apply a significant range of principles and techniques across various contexts and functions. Graduates can expect to be involved in significant judgments, planning, and leadership/guidance functions related to workplace products, services, operations or procedures.

• Prerequisites

  There are NO previous employment or educational requirements to enter into either course level. You can enrol directly into the Diploma or Advanced Diploma without having previous qualifications.

  Note that you can expect higher course levels to result in a higher potential salary, positions and skill capabilities.

• Course Length

  The average time within which students complete studies is:

  	Diploma Level	24 weeks
  	Advanced Diploma Level	31 weeks

  Studying a counselling and psychology course online with ICI allows you to work at your own pace with no assignment deadlines. This means that you determine how long it takes you to complete your learning programme.

  If you want to finish the course quickly, you can fast track and graduate in a matter of months. Alternatively, you can take things slower. The maximum time we allow for you to complete our counselling and psychology courses is three years.

• Study Mode: Online Learning

  Our counselling and psychology courses are carried out remotely via distance learning. Also known as correspondence learning, this approach is ideal if you need to fit your studies around family, work or other commitments. It also means you can learn whenever and wherever you wish, and it gives you full control over your schedule. Another benefit of this style of learning is that it saves you time and money by removing the need to travel to attend in-person classes.

  As well as offering a convenient way to advance your career, our counselling and psychology courses are designed to be highly engaging and relevant.

• Recognition & Accreditation

  
  Our counselling and psychology courses are recognised and accredited by the International Association of Private Career Colleges (IAPCC).

  Like all our courses, they are designed to be highly practical. Written and delivered by qualified industry professionals, they teach you far more than just theory. You’ll develop key practical abilities that will enable you to thrive in this rewarding profession

  
  ICI is a Complementary Medical Association (CMA) College Member and features on the CMA’s Register of Education Providers. We have met the expectations of this global organisation, which represents more than 100 colleges and 15,000 practitioners in the field.

  
  We are also recognised by Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists (ACCPH). This is an independent professional body and register for people in the counselling and psychology professions. ICI Counselling graduates are able to seek membership of the ACCPH.

• Already in the Profession or Industry?

  Already working in health and fitness, or even as a counsellor or psychologist? This course is for you. It provides a great opportunity to consolidate your knowledge, update your professional skills and advance your career development. It is one of the most practical steps you can take towards gaining a promotion. It can also give you added confidence in your work.

  You can claim course fees as a tax deduction as long as the learning programme is sufficiently connected to your work activities.

• What Do I Get?

  All the materials you need to complete our online counselling courses are included in the course fee. When you enrol, you will receive:

  • All required study materials and course notes
  • Assignment projects with constructive tutor feedback
  • A tutor who will answer all your course and career questions and provide guidance.

  Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive:
  

  • A graduation certificate officially recognising your completion of the course and qualifications as a counsellor
  • Transcripts indicating the units completed
  • A letter of recommendation and validation for current and future employers
  • Post-nominal letters placed after your name which indicate that you hold the relevant qualification (for example: John Smith, DipCouns)
  • Job search assistance: discover more about our Graduate Career Services Programme

• Cut Off Date

  Friday, 20th December 2024 is the next enrolment cut off date. Places are limited, in demand and entry into the course is on a first come first served basis.

  Your enrolment is processed and acknowledged within 24 hours of the Institute receiving your application. You can expect to receive your course within days of enrolling. When you start your ICI course it’s at your own pace and you determine when you finish. Don’t miss out. Enrol today!

Course Investment & Payment Plans

Select diploma level to see payment options Click on the below menu to select your preferred course level.

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